As we begin to see some the clouds lifting from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time to begin enjoying life again, even if that means being more cautious than we used to be. The good news is that even if you still want to be socially distant, there are many great vacation ideas that you can try as we approach the summer season. Here at East Tennessee Vacations, we want to see you enjoy life again, so we have ideas for fun vacations and how to be prepared.

Why Vacation Is Important

Now that the pandemic is easing, it is important that you go out and enjoy some time for yourself, if only so that you can create a work-life balance. If you work too much then it is going to impact your mental health, so you need to take action and leave work at the same time every day, have the power to say “no” when you are being overburdened, and delegate your tasks when you have the chance so you aren’t doing it all. A vacation is part of that. Take a couple of weeks every year for yourself and you’ll feel better.

Places to Go

You do not need to stay in a crowded hotel in order to call it a vacation. Instead, you can still enjoy yourself out in nature by camping, hiking, or spending a few days in a cabin or house rental. If you want to take a traditional vacation in a resort community, then consider waiting until the off-season to visit the lake or mountain community of your choice. It will be less busy then and many vacation spots are also more affordable since there is less of a demand.

On the topic of finances, you can also save money on air travel by booking well in advance. If you try to take a last-minute flight then the airlines will likely charge more but if you book it several months in advance then you will get a fair rate. If you don’t want to fly and sit in a crowded plane, then consider taking a road trip with a couple of friends. Either that or you can have a staycation in your own home. Just make sure to disconnect from work so you can properly rest.

Proper Preparations

If you are considering enjoying an outdoor activity like camping then you will need to bring the proper items to stay safe and protected. In the summer, you will need to bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat so you don’t get sunburned or dehydrated.  Sunglasses are highly recommended to protect against glare while boating or driving.

Once you pick a destination, research it online and see what kinds of activities there are to do so you don’t miss out on a thing. While you should take plenty of time to relax, it is also a good idea to try something new. Life is all about experiences and you never know when you might try an activity that will change your life.

As you can see, there are plenty of vacation plans you can make even if you still want to practice social distancing, so get out there and try something new. If you want to learn about the fun activities in East Tennessee, then check out our events page here.

Guest post- Leslie C